Three local people were escorted off Tenby's St. Catherine's Island by police on Sunday evening following an attempt to hold a barbecue. Shortly after 5 pm the three people were spotted leaving Castle Beach and seen swimming in the high tide towards the island. Once there they proceeded to light a fire with the intention of starting a barbecue, having been seen earlier in the afternoon taking over items including alcohol. Tenby coastguards were alerted and Tenby's inshore lifeboat was launched, as dangerous conditions raised safety concerns for the persons on the island. Tenby fire brigade and police officers also attended the scene, as smoke had been spotted coming from the top of the island. Rescue helicopter RAF Chivenor was also tasked, but did not become airborne once a rescue by the ILB crew had been safely carried out. "Initially our response team located the three persons on the island, so there was real concern that they may become trapped as they were trying to exit the island off the back," said a coastguard spokesperson. "Eventually police officers along with the ILB crew escorted the persons off the island and onto the shore," they added.
